Meet Bunny Beaumont | Burlesque Performer & The Good Time Ghouls

We had the good fortune of connecting with Bunny Beaumont and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Bunny, how do you think about risk?
Taking risks and fear are very similar to me. You never know how things are going to turn out. There is no right, or wrong answer and you have no clue how your decisions will affect you until you go through with them. I was in a band in my early 20’s and that wasn’t my thing. I didn’t feel in charge of my creativity in that environment. I started The Good Time Ghouls (Horror Hosts) with my best friend, Gail Savage (Holy Gail) but those events mostly took place in just October. Starting burlesque at 40 was a huge risk. What if I’m not any good? What will people think of me? What if I mess up? This is something I have always been interested in and supported for a long time. I didn’t do it when I was younger because my confidence and mindset were nowhere close to being able to be that vulnerable in person let alone on stage. I just thought that I was too old to pursue it. I decided that I didn’t care about if I was too old etc., and I started to kitten (stage assist) for The Rocket Doll Revue in Indianapolis. After doing that for a while I realized that I wanted to perform. I started to seek out training from established performers and began my journey. I eventually became an Official Stage Kitten for The Rocket Doll Revue and then a performer in the troupe. I still have a lot to learn, but I feel like I am finally fulfilling that creative side that I had been missing for so long. My troupe has been incredibly supportive through everything as well! If I let fear hold me back from taking this risk, I know I wouldn’t be as happy as I am now.

Can you open up a bit about your work and career? We’re big fans and we’d love for our community to learn more about your work.
*I wanted to state that I do not do burlesque as a career. It is my hobby. I do put a ton of time into it, but I work a full-time day job. I wish I could survive on burlesque alone but that isn’t really possible in Indiana. I also don’t think I would enjoy it as much if I did do it full time.

Bunny Beaumont started as one half of The Good Time Ghouls with Holy Gail. We are Horror Hosts in Indianapolis, we started hosting Annual Horror Trivia during the week of the Irvington Halloween Festival. The largest and longest running Halloween Festival in the country. Irvington is considered to be very haunted with a lot of interesting history. We just celebrated our 8th year of Horror Trivia! We also produce burlesque and drag shows a few times a year. I have been event planning for years with previous jobs that I have held. That knowledge has helped me with success of our events.

Of course, it’s been hard! You gotta live it to learn it! I didn’t know what worked for me until I got out there and started experimenting and making mistakes. I am still learning and will continue to so that I can be a better performer and host.

What I struggle with most is myself. Imposter syndrome, how my body has changed, not being as flexible due to my age, not having as much experience as others. Everyone has insecurities. I have worked through and continue to work through a lot of them. I don’t let fear keep me from doing what I want to do and that has been successful for me. If I listened to all the doubts I have had since I started all of this, I wouldn’t be where I am. I am thankful that I pushed myself and did it all anyway, regardless of how I felt about myself or my abilities. I still must step back sometimes and tell myself that I am in this show/production for a reason. My hard work put me here. I wouldn’t be here if they didn’t want me to be. I just want to have fun with my friends, and I definitely have fun!

Any places to eat or things to do that you can share with our readers? If they have a friend visiting town, what are some spots they could take them to?
Breakfast/Brunch: Cafe Patachou – local, organic food, established and fresh
Milktooth – Award winning, rotating menu, fresh, inspired, and different
Mad Griddle – Hip Hop/R&B brunch on the weekends, local, fresh
Maxine’s Chicken and Waffles – Pan fried chicken made to order and totally worth the wait. Sweet potato waffle with peach butter is a must too!
Love Handle – rotating menu, known for high quality ingredients, the best biscuits and gravy! They also have a veggie version!

Lunch:
The list above works for lunch too!
The Garage Food Hall is a cool place with lots of options, Lil Dumplings is my personal favorite!

Dinner:
Bluebeard – local, rotating menu, fresh oysters,
Abyssinia – Ethiopian food
Futuro – Pizza
Inferno Room – Tiki bar and restaurant, immersive vibe, good food and drinks!
Strangebird – Tiki leaning bar and restaurant. The Strong Order is my personal favorite cocktail. Fresh oysters with a pineapple mignonette and incredible Ramen
Kan Kan – brasserie and movie house

Drinks:
Inferno Room – Black Magic is my go-to drink! The crab Rangoon is so good!

Strangebird – The Strong Order and the Saturn are my favorites
The Red Key – My favorite bar in the city! Dive bar, classic drinks, cash only, really good simple bar food

Fun things to do:
Must see a show at the White Rabbit Cabaret, our Children’s Museum is pretty cool here, walking/hiking in Holliday Park, 100 Acres Eagle Creek or Fort Ben, Artdish at The Harrison Center, a tour at the Medical History Museum, go to a concert at The White River or The Murat, The Halloween Festival in Irvington, The Indiana State Fair, Brown County in the fall, Zodiak vintage, Midland Antique Mall., Hampton Design Studio for shopping. Almost Famous or Black Circle Brewing for themed shows happening weekly. Spellbound Dance Night at the White Rabbit Cabaret monthly. I know that I am missing things!

Shoutout is all about shouting out others who you feel deserve additional recognition and exposure. Who would you like to shoutout?
My burlesque troupe; The Rocket Doll Revue and our home base; The White Rabbit Cabaret
The Good Time Ghouls – I am one half of The Good Time Ghouls with my best friend, Gail Savage. GTG is where Bunny Beaumont first started
Bella Blue – burlesque performer from New Orleans, she trained me for my debut performance and has held burlesque retreats that I have attended as well
Marissa Castillo – My dance teacher
There are too many people to name that have supported me on this part of my life. I am a very lucky gal!
I have amazing supporters in my life! Gail Savage, Aaron Hacker, Tony Vibbert, Ethel Loveless, Boybarella and Indy’s Drag and Burlesque communities!

Website: http://rocketdollrevue.com/

Instagram: bunny_beaumont_ and thegoodtimeghouls

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/thebunnybeaumont/ and https://www.facebook.com/thegoodtimeghouls

Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/c/RocketDollRevue

Image Credits
Photos by Jedidiah Johnson, Kristen Weatherford and Rachel Schwebach Illustration by Carly Strauss Fox